Part 37 (2/2)
”No Let him be Perhaps he will prove very useful”
”The chiefs say it isn't fair to ask thelishman ”How are they to know that you will not be treacherous?”
”Tell the's shi+p, and if they behave the to fear,” said the captain ”Stop! Six of them can come aboard armed if they like You can lead them and interpret”
”I'll tell them, sir; but I won't coe now, and the crew ht make rees, and the captain and lieutenant exchanged glances, while directly after the canoe was run alongside, and half-a-dozen of the people sprang up the side, and were ad about the deck in thefellows, broad-shouldered and handsome, and every man had his face tattooed in a curious scroll-like pattern, which ended on the sides of his nose
Their ar to the wrist a curiously carved object, which looked like a reen stone, carefully polished, but which on closer inspection see at close quarters
As they paraded the deck, with their quick eyes grasping everything, theytheir faces close to those of the sailors, and then drawing themselves up with a conscious look of satisfaction and self-esteem, as they compared their physique with that of their visitors
One of thereat fellow of about six feet three, and stout and muscular in proportion, stopped suddenly in front of Jem, at whom he seemed to frown, and turned to Don, upon whose chest he laid the back of his hand
”Pakeha,” he said in a deep voice; ”Ngati pakeha”
”Tell hie turned fiercely upon Jeati pakeha Maori pakeha My pakeha!”
Then to Don--”You un”
”Don't you wish you ive hie nodded approval
”Yes,” he said; ”powder-gun--you give”
A call froe away, and he joined them to partake of some rum and water, which the captain had had prepared on their behalf
”Won't you come up and have solishman in the boat
”No, thank you; but you may send me down the bottle if you like, sir
Look here! Shall I show you where you can anchor?”
The lieutenant glanced at his superior officer, and in answer to his nod turned to the e?”
”I can show you half-a-dozen, all safe,” said the man ”When you like, I'll lead the way”
”A boat shall follow you, and take soundings”
The first cutter was manned with a well-ar two of the number